NHS psychiatrist lifts the lid on burnout in powerful new book.
Dr Richard Duggins, consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), explores the growing challenge facing today’s workforce.
His new book ‘Burnout-Free Working: An Expert Guide to Thriving in a Stressful Workplace’ builds on two decades of patient experiences, sharing what can tip people into burnout and how to deal with it.
The book includes practical tips such as early warning signs, quick-reset strategies, and long-term habits to keep burnout at bay. It also provides guidance for managers on how to support their teams.
Richard has run specialist services for staff mental health for nearly two decades and leads the North East and North Cumbria Staff Wellbeing Hub, a regional support service for healthcare staff.
Nicknamed ‘the doctors’ doctor’, Richard has helped thousands of professionals recover and return to work stronger.
On why he decided to write the book, Richard explained: “I started to notice a lot of people struggling with burnout and was interested in why this was happening.
“I’ve seen people with it who have learned how to recover. My main motivation for writing the book was to share what works and what doesn’t. I want others to benefit from the thousands of conversations I’ve had with patients.”
The book is ideal for professionals in a stressful work environment and their managers, as well as employers seeking evidence-based ways to retain and revive staff.
Burnout is booming; since the pandemic, workplace burnout has gone from a simmering issue to full-blown crisis. Recent surveys show 75% of employees have hit burnout in their current role, with many experiencing it more than once.
As well as the human cost, it can also harm businesses.
“Burnout and mental health are the greatest costs to any business,” Richard explained. “Left untreated, it can drive long-term sickness, staff turnover, errors and spiralling costs. Studies in healthcare show that burnout can lead to mistakes and reduce patient satisfaction. Yet, it’s highly treatable and crucially, preventable.”
The key signs of burnout to look out for are:
- Crippling exhaustion
- Cynicism / detachment: Caring less about colleagues or patients
- Loss of joy: Work that was once loved feels pointless
In his book, Richard debunks the myth that burnout equals weakness.
“It’s almost always down to the balance of things going on around us,” he said.
Richard’s advice for anyone struggling with burnout is, “Burnout hits individuals and organisations alike but it’s beatable. Spot it early, act decisively, and you can save your health and your career. You can also learn to live and work so burnout does not stand a chance.
“Burnout is not a career-ender. With timely support, recovery can be swift. Many people can return to work wiser, calmer and more effective than before.”
This is Richard’s first book and he describes the process of writing it as a joy.
“To see the book released and in people’s hands has been really exciting. Being able to share what I’ve learned over the last 20 years and for people to potentially benefit from that is a real privilege.”
‘Burnout-Free Working: An Expert Guide to Thriving in a Stressful Workplace’ is available from all good retailers. It’s available in paperback and e-book, with an audiobook coming soon.
It has already received acclaim from around the world, with Helen Garr, Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health, hailing it ‘the best book on the ever-increasing challenge of burnout I have ever read’.
Richard will be the keynote speaker at a burnout-free working conference at the Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle on 17 October. For more information and to book a place, please email [email protected]